SCRANTON -- Students went back to class Wednesday in the Scranton and Abington Heights School Districts -- two districts where there has been talk of teachers going on strike.
Teachers in the Abington Heights School District have set a strike date of September 12. School officials wrote on the district's web site that a strike could be as short as a day or extend until the end of September.
Drop off and pick up for new kindergarteners went smoothly for the first day at South Abington Elementary despite the rain.
Moms we talked to say they're already making plans in case of a lengthy break from class. Opinions differ over whether a teachers' strike--and the break from school--will be worth it.
"First grade, what's she going to miss, really? We're OK. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so if she has to be home, she's home with me. Other parents I feel bad for, but I'm for the teachers, so whatever they have to do," said Erin Smith of Newton Township.
At Abington Heights, a teachers strike could last through most of September. The district has already set up a web site and text alert system to keep parents informed.
"My concerns are maybe the holidays being shorter and the kids going longer. It's going to disrupt a lot of parents with vacationing for the summer for the children," said Allison Moyer of Clarks Summit.
There are similar concerns in Scranton where a possible teachers strike is not as imminent. Teachers are working without a contract and the union has voted to authorize a strike but no date has been set.
Both looming strikes, in Scranton and the Abington Heights School District, could be resolved before teachers hit the picket lines with last-minute contract negotiations.
That's an outcome parents we talked to are hoping for.
